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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "hundred thousand united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22993401426 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • westernunionoffice17@yahoo.es
  • e.westernunion@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Obiora Michael" <michaelobiora4@norilsk.biz>
Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 18:33:04 +0200
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION FOR YOUR PAYMENT


Attn:My Dear

We write to inform you that we have arranged your Inherited payment of
($1.5Million) One Million five hundred thousand united state dollars in
atm payment card to be sent to you through western union money transfer
payment:

Now, You Will be receiving your payment of $1.500.000.00 Through Western
Union Money Transfer And The Maximum amount you will be receiving per day
is $7,000.
The minister trust funds of Benin Republic will be sending you the current
standard track details you need to pick up your ($7,000) payment by
western union Everyday, Untill you received Your Total Fund Of $1.5Million
united state dollars,

Note that there is no need to send you this atm card because you can not
be able to withdraw the atm card due to the atm master card contain large
money on it.
The director administrtor trust funds have already signed and your payment
has been approved by the Federal Government Of This Country To Be Paid To
You Through Western Union Means.

Now you are free to comply with ECO BANK PLC payment office on this
email:( westernunionoffice17@yahoo.es)
However, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release
your payment by western union per $7,000 per day.

Contact Person; Mr Johnson Darry.
western union department
Eco Bank-Benin,
Mobile: +229 93 401 426
E-mail: ( e.westernunion@yahoo.fr )

The Eco Bank western union payment canter has been mandated to issue out
your payment and you have to stop any further communication with any
other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your
payment.

Note that the administrator payment need this details from you to
process your payment:

Receiver --------------------------
Country----------------------------
City/Address--------------------
Tel----------------------------------
Test question------------------
Answer----------------------------
Copy of your ID----------------

Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr
Johnson Darry, he will start sending your payment by western union.

Regards,
Barrister Michael Obiora.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam